Paul Basham Associates are pleased to have assisted Occidental Ltd with an application to redevelop the former Marks and Spencers store on Hamilton Road, Felixstowe to provide retail and residential uses.
The Brief
Paul Basham Associates were originally instructed to support the redevelopment of the site to provide 16 residential flats and retail space. The development proposals comprised an extension to the second floor and the construction of a new third floor to accommodate the 16 residential units, with 311sqm of the ground floor to be maintained for retail use. Situated in the heart of Felixstowe Town Centre with excellent links to facilities and public transport infrastructure, the whole development was to be car-free.
Our Approach
With access onto both Hamilton Road and Highfield Road, Paul Basham Associates initially undertook a site visit to better understand the operation of the existing M&S store as well as any opportunities and constraints of the development site. The site visit observations fed into our subsequent Transport Statement which highlighted the sustainability credentials of the site, successfully demonstrating that the proposed development would have a minimal impact on the operation and highways safety of the Local Road Network. In order to support the car-free nature of the development, and at the request of the Local Highways Authority, a parking capacity assessment was also undertaken to demonstrate that existing parking capacity exists in the surrounding area. Following receipt of various comments from the Local Planning Authority in response to the original application however, a revised application was made for 14 residential flats and 543sqm of retail space. Paul Basham Associates prepared a revised Transport Statement to support the development proposals which included a detailed analysis of the servicing strategy for the site.
The Result
It is great to see that the revised proposals were granted planning permission in September 2020 and we look forward to seeing the scheme progress, providing sustainable living accommodation within the centre of Felixstowe.